Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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558. To ask the Minister for Health his views that the new medicines pricing agreement will act as a biosimilars blocker, due to a clause which states that biologics will only be reimbursed at a price 30% less than the current level, and only when competitor biosimilar medicines enter the market; his further views that this cannot occur, as biosimilars will financially be prevented from entering the market, as it would be unsustainable to lower their price further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21014/16]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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559. To ask the Minister for Health his views that the new medicines pricing agreement will lead to cost savings, in respect of existing biologic, high-technology medicines, given that a lower reimbursement price for biologics will not be possible, due to an inability for biosimilars to enter the market; the reason for introducing a clause into the agreement, which links the reimbursement price of biologics to the biosimilars entering the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21015/16]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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560. To ask the Minister for Health his views that the price of two of the largest medicines supplied by the Health Service Executive, Humira and Enbrel, at a cost of €160 million per year, will not experience significant price reduction when their patents fall in 2017, as a direct result of the terms of the forthcoming medicine pricing agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, because the terms in this agreement will prevent effective post-patent competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21016/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 to 560, inclusive, together.

A negotiating team representing the State has reached agreement in principle with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association on a new drug pricing and supply agreement. As work is still continuing between the parties to finalise the terms of the agreement, I am not in position at this time to comment on specific details of the agreement.

Negotiations and agreements with industry represent just one element of the Government’s strategy to reduce expenditure on medicines; other initiatives will continue to be pursued in the coming months and years to ensure that we achieve affordable prices for medicines for both patients and the State.